Waterless toilet system and methods of use

ABSTRACT

An environmentally-friendly portable toilet that is waterless, odorless and cost efficient, that uses a continuous bag supply having a predetermined single dose or portion of at least one chemical automatically deposited therein, the at least one chemical functional to kill pathogens in waste that is deposited through an opening in the seat and a corresponding opening of the continuous bag supply; the waste-filled continuous bag supply is at least temporarily sealed by activation of a mechanical sealing mechanism, and released downwardly into a base section, which is connected to a hard plastic sitting unit, forming an integral, closed system for waterless sanitation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/772,112, filed Feb. 20, 2013, which claims the benefit ofU.S. provisional patent application No. 61/600,747, filed February,2012, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to toilet systems, and, more particularly,to waterless portable toilet systems.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior art includes portable sanitation systems and methods havingwaterless disposal of waste. Additionally, it is known in the prior artto include bags for receiving the waste from the toilet device.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,671,906, issued Mar. 16, 1954, invented by Pott, for aliner for sanitary closets, describes a sanitary closet comprising: abowl with a hole in the bottom; a supply of tubular film around the bowland extending upwardly; and means of drawing the film downwardly throughthe bowl. It further describes sealing jaws which are operated by ahandle to seal an area of the film on itself, securing the waste in abag formed by the film, and drawn downwardly through the hole of thebowl.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,401,409, issued Sep. 17, 1968, invented by Ekrut, for awaste disposal unit, describes a unit for sanitary disposal of humanwaste, especially for use in vehicles such as buses, airplanes,trailers, campers, and the like. The waste disposal unit includes: ahousing; means adjacent to the top of the housing for suspending inopen-mouth position and impermeable heat-sealable waste-receiving bag ofthermoplastic film; spaced apart compression means within the housingmoveable for squeezing together the sides of the bag adjacent the openend; heating means for sealing the top squeezed together portion of thebag, and a storage means disposed within housing below the sealing meansfor receiving sealed bags of waste by gravity.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,452,368, issued on Jul. 1, 1969, invented by Couper, fora portable waste disposer, describes a portable waste dispenser, whichmay be used as a portable toilet which utilizes an elongated plastic bagwhich is continuously sealed as increments of the bag are passed throughthe toilet. The seal mechanism includes two pairs of elongated rubberrollers spring-biased together and the amount of elongated plastictubing that is included in the dispenser is determined by the desirednumber of “flushes”.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,302, issued on Mar. 14, 1972, invented by Winters,for a portable waterless water closet, describes a portable waterlesswater closet in which the waste materials are sealed off and stored forsubsequent removal in a disposable bag stored in a magazine beneath theseat. The water closet includes a mechanism that grasps and pullssuccessive lengths of the bag from the magazine while also providing adouble seal to isolate waste materials in the storage compartment fromthe unused portion of the bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,522, issued on May 30, 1972, invented by Pactosan etal., for an apparatus for collecting solid or liquid wastes, describes atoilet apparatus for collecting solid or liquid wastes in which onesealed end of a hose of thin, tight, flexible material is adapted to bepassed down into a container for receiving the waste. A sealingmechanism comprising welding jaws that press a portion of the hosebetween them and seal the hose at that position by welding.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,693,193 and 3,746,159, issued on Sep. 26, 1972 and Jul.17, 1973 respectively, for a portable sanitary toilet and for acartridge package for a sanitary toilet respectively, each invented byMay, describe a portable toilet which collects waste in an elongatedtube-like plastic bag and further describes a pair of pincher arms belowthe toilet seat that pinch the opposite sides of the tube together toform an odor-tight seal. The bag is advanced into the waste chamberthrough depression of a foot crank. The '159 patent describes acartridge package containing the elongated plastic bag for the sanitarytoilet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,218, issued Oct. 22, 1991, invented by Lobbert, fora waterless toilet, describes a waterless toilet for use with containersthat accommodate waste and can be sealed tight, including: a seat havingmultiple depressions, each depression accommodating one container; andmeans for rotating the seat such that the depressions assume differentpositions—a first position with a magazine of unused containers and amechanism for dispensing a container into each depression, a secondposition at which the toilet can be used, a third position with amagazine that supplies lids for sealing the used containers and amechanism for dispensing lids to each container, and a fourth positionwith means for removing a container from each depression and forwardingthe container to a waste depot.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,487, issued on Oct. 5, 1999, invented by Hawkins etal., for a dry toilet, describes a dry toilet that uses a substantiallycontinuous sheet of disposable bowl lining material to convey the toiletwaste out of the toilet bowl for disposal and an apparatus for holding,advancing, separating, and releasing successive portions of the liningsheet.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,052,842 and 6,212,701, issued May 16, 2000 and Apr. 10,2001 respectively, and WIPO Pub. No. WO1997027795, each invented by He,for a waterless closet assembly, comprises: a closet having an inlet andan outlet; an annular seat disposed over the inlet of the closet; atubular hose having a first portion disposed exteriorly of the closetand a second portion extending upwardly over the annular seat anddownwardly through the outlet of the closet; and advancing means foradvancing the hose upwardly over the annular seat and downwardly throughthe closet. Furthermore, these documents describe the advancing meanscomprising a pair of rollers to pull the tubular hose downwardly andclamping plates to clamp the tubular hose. The '701 patent furtherdescribes an automatic dry toilet that has a pedal for controlling theopen-closed pulling mechanism.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,931,684 and 7,080,418, issued Aug. 23, 2005 and Jul.25, 2006 respectively, for a bed or wheelchair having an integral refusedisposal system, each invented by Henegar, describe a refuse disposalsystems comprising: a seat member; an annular well holding an annularcartridge of compressed disposable tubing positioned within the annularwell; and disposable tubing extending upwardly from the cartridge overthe seat member and downwardly through the seat's opening. After use,the fresh tubular material is pulled from the cartridge and the waste istied off or sealed in the used portion of the tubular material.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,400, issued on Jul. 21, 2009, invented by Graham,for mobile equipment for non-ambulatory people, describes a commodeadapted to assist non-ambulatory person to independently access saidcommode, the commode comprising: a dispenser of tubes adapted to providea tube within a basin to receive and enclose the waste products; a lowerbaffle that is capable of clamping an open top of the tube afterreceiving the waste products; and a cutting tool to cut individual bagsfrom the tube.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,849,527, issued on Dec. 14, 2010, invented by Nochizukiet al., for a toilet apparatus with processing material, describes atoilet apparatus comprising: a packaging member comprising a long,flexible and folded continuous cylindrical member set in positionsurrounding the toilet bowl and below the toilet seat, the packagingmember being adapted to receive excrement produced by the user andsubsequently sealed at an opening thereof and transferred downward inthe toilet bowl; processing material for absorbing liquid andsemi-solidifying the excrement; a mechanism to feed processing materialinto the packaging member alongside the excrement; and a sensor toautomatically supply the processing material into the bowl when the usersits on the toilet seat or stands up from the toilet seat.

US Pub. No. 20090255045, published Oct. 15, 2009, invented by Sakurai,for excretion packaging type portable toilet apparatus, describes anexcretion packaging portable toilet adapted for: packing excretionproduced at a time into a flexible bag-like container; hermeticallysealing the pack; and dropping the pack into a storage section under themain toilet body.

PCT Pub. No. WO2009129638, published Oct. 29, 2009, invented by Luscheret al., for a water-free toilet system, describes a toilet devicecomprising: a toilet seat; a film tube for collection of waste; aclosing device below the toilet seat for using a shutter to close a bagfrom the film tube at certain intervals; and a conveyor system formoving closed bags to a collection container.

PCT Pub. No. WO2011113164, published Sep. 22, 2011, invented by Luscheret al., for a waterless toilet system, describes a toilet devicecomprising: a seat; a film tube under the seat, provided for receivingproducts of human excretion and closed on one end; means for closing thefilm tube to form a closed bag; and means for detaching the closed bagto produce once again a film tube that is closed at one end. Thispublication further describes a catching device for receiving detachedclosed bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable sanitation. It is an object ofthis invention in systems and apparatus embodiments to provide anenvironmentally-friendly portable toilet that is waterless, odorless andcost efficient, that uses specially-lined or chemical-dosed bags from acontinuous bag supply that kill pathogens in waste, and are sealed andreleased downwardly into a base section, the base section beingconnected to a hard plastic sitting unit, forming an integral, closedsystem for waterless sanitation. Yet another object of this invention isto provide methods for using the waterless, odorless toilet deviceand/or system of the present invention.

In aspects of the systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments of thepresent invention, an environmentally-friendly portable toilet isprovided that is waterless, odorless and cost efficient, that uses acontinuous bag supply having a predetermined single dose or portion ofat least one chemical automatically deposited therein, the at least onechemical functional to kill pathogens in waste that is deposited throughan opening in the seat and a corresponding opening of the continuous bagsupply; the waste-filled continuous bag supply is at least temporarilysealed by activation of a mechanical sealing mechanism, and releaseddownwardly into a base section, which is connected to a hard plasticsitting unit, forming an integral, closed system for waterlesssanitation.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art after a reading of the following description ofthe preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings, as theysupport the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows another perspective view diagram illustrating theembodiment of FIG. 1 without the cover, seat, lid, and outer housingcomponents.

FIG. 3 shows a top view diagram illustrating the embodiment shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a side view diagram illustrating the embodiment shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows another side view diagram illustrating the embodiment shownin FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 shows a right perspective view diagram illustrating anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a left side view diagram illustrating the embodiment shownin FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a back view diagram illustrating the embodiment shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 9 shows a top view diagram illustrating the embodiment shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view diagram illustrating the embodiment shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view diagram illustrating a seat and lidcomponent in a closed position according to an embodiment of theinvention, as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 shows another perspective view diagram illustrating the seat andlid component of FIG. 11 in an open position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the back side of a chemical agentdispenser attachable to the lid illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the front side of a chemical agentdispenser of FIG. 13 attachable to the lid illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a side cross sectional view of the chemical agent dispenserillustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the chemical agent dispenser illustrated inFIGS. 13-15 attached to a lid and seat in an open position.

FIG. 17 shows a cross sectional side view of the chemical agentdispenser illustrated in FIGS. 13-15 attached to a lid and seat in anopen position.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view diagram showing exploded views of the maincomponents of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view diagram of the invention of FIG. 18, showing thelid in an open position and the base unit separated from the seatingunit.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view diagram from a lower view showing explodedviews of the main components of one embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a top view diagram of the invention of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a front view diagram of the invention of FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is a bottom sectional view diagram of FIG. 18 along line D-D.

FIG. 24 is a side sectional view diagram of the invention of FIG. 18along line D-D.

FIGS. 25A-25F generally illustrate a series of views of components ofthe present invention.

FIG. 25A shows a top perspective view of components of the presentinvention.

FIG. 25B shows a side view of components of the present invention.

FIG. 25C shows a bottom perspective view of components of the presentinvention.

FIG. 25D shows a bottom view of components of the present invention.

FIG. 25E shows an end view of components of the present invention.

FIG. 25F shows a top view of components of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for thepurpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and arenot intended to limit the invention thereto.

The systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments of the present inventionprovide an environmentally-friendly portable toilet that is waterless,odorless and cost efficient, that uses a continuous bag supply having apredetermined single dose or portion of at least one chemicalautomatically deposited therein, the at least one chemical functional tokill pathogens in waste that is deposited through an opening in the seatand a corresponding opening of the continuous bag supply; thewaste-filled continuous bag supply is at least temporarily sealed byactivation of a mechanical sealing mechanism, and released downwardlyinto a base section, which is connected to a hard plastic sitting unit,forming an integral, closed system for waterless sanitation.

The present invention provides systems and methods for waterlesssanitation, including an environmentally-friendly portable toilet thatis waterless, odorless and cost efficient, that uses specially-linedand/or fillable continuous bag supply portions that receive at least onechemical for neutralizing and/or killing pathogens, and are sealed andreleased into a base section, which is connected to a hard plasticsitting unit, forming an integral, closed system for waterlesssanitation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a waterless sanitationsystem is provided that includes a base section enclosing a continuousbag supply and/or continuous tube of waste-containment material forreceiving waste through an opening in a sitting unit, connected to andpositioned above the base section.

As shown in the figures, various views are provided of one embodiment ofthe invention, namely the apparatus and its components including asitting unit or seat member, attached to a base unit, wherein the baseunit further includes and houses waste receiving bags and/or acontinuous supply of bags and/or a continuous tube of waste containmentmaterial, and the base unit is further attached to a storage bin 30, allof which are retrofittable to existing portable toilets and/orbathrooms, including but not limited to bathrooms in boats, RVs, mobilehomes, etc., while no longer requiring a pit or hole for receiving wastefrom users, and eliminating the odor associated with waterless toilets.

An apparatus for waterless, odorless waste receiving and disposalaccording to the present invention includes a portable toilet that iswaterless, odorless and cost efficient, and that uses a continuous bagsupply having a predetermined single dose or portion of at least onechemical automatically deposited therein, the at least one chemicalfunctional to kill pathogens in waste that is deposited through a seatopening in the seat and a corresponding opening of the continuous bagsupply; the waste-filled continuous bag supply is at least temporarilysealed by activation of a mechanical sealing mechanism, and releaseddownwardly into a base section, which is connected to a hard plasticsitting unit, forming an integral, closed system for waterlesssanitation. Preferably, the at least one chemical is an anti-microbialmaterial for decontaminating waste, and wherein the waste-filledcontinuous bag supply is biodegradable, environmentally-friendly, and/ornon-toxic and the at least one chemical includes an anti-microbialagent. In one embodiment, the plastic material is an engineered plasticcontaining PVDC and having multiple layers that is non-toxic.

In embodiments for a system for providing waterless sanitation, awaterless toilet is provided for use within a portable toilet enclosureconstructed and configured with a closable door entry and sides shapedto receive a person along with the waterless toilet, which furtherincludes a housing enclosing a top seating unit matingly connected to abottom receiving container, the top seating unit enclosing a continuousplastic bag supply constructed and configured to feed into a mechanicalsealing mechanism formed by two aligned rollers that form a nip linewhen activated into a closed position; wherein the mechanical sealingmechanism is operable for temporarily sealing a waste-filled portion ofthe continuous plastic bag supply to form a sealed bag, and advancingthe sealed bag into the bottom receiving container, thereby providing asanitary, waterless waste disposal system.

The system includes a spring-loaded foot pedal to activate themechanical sealing mechanism, and to advance the waste-filled portionand sealed bag portion of the continuous bag supply to create afaux-flushing action. The mechanical sealing mechanism further includesfour interactive gears connected by spaced-apart, aligned rollers thatare activatable by the mechanical sealing mechanism to form a nip lineto cinch and to seal the continuous bag supply to form sealedwaste-filled bags when activated. The top seating unit includes a lidpivotally connected to a seat, wherein the seat includes a seat openingfor waste to be deposited into the continuous bag supply. Andpreferably, the lid and the seat pivot motion activates the depositingof a predetermined amount of a chemical into the continuous bag supplyopening. In preferred embodiments, the top seating unit and the bottomreceiving container, and the housing are formed of a rigid plasticmaterial suitable for supporting the weight of a person up to at leastabout 300 and up to about 400 lbs. without deflecting, cracking,bending, or breaking. The continuous bag supply (not shown) includes abag opening that corresponds with and/or aligns with a top seating unitopening to allow waste to be deposited through the top seating unitopening into the continuous bag supply opening.

In methods of the present invention for providing waterless sanitation,the following steps are included: providing a waterless toilet systemcomprising a top seating unit matingly connected to a bottom receivingcontainer, the top seating unit further comprising a continuous plasticbag supply that feeds into a mechanical sealing mechanism; advancing thecontinuous plastic bag supply through the mechanical sealing mechanism;activating the mechanical sealing mechanism to create a seal a first endof the plastic bag supply to form a bag portion, wherein the seal iscreated by a nip line formed between two aligned rollers; providing abag opening corresponding to a seat opening to allow receiving of awaste into the bag portion; activating the mechanical sealing mechanismto completely enclose the waste within the continuous plastic bag supplyby temporarily sealing a second end, when the nip line is formed betweentwo aligned rollers; advancing the filled portion of the continuous bagsupply downwardly into the bottom receiving container; and providing awaterless faux-flushing action by activating the mechanical sealingmechanism and advancing the filled bag portion with a spring-loaded footpedal.

In one embodiment, the waterless faux-flushing action is provided byactivating a foot pedal constructed and configured to connect withmechanical gears that automatically perform the step of advancing thefilled portion of the continuous bag supply downwardly.

Preferably, in the apparatus, systems and methods of the presentinvention, the continuous plastic bag supply further includes ananti-microbial material for decontaminating waste, which may be added bydepositing into the continuous bag supply opening and/or predeposited,lined, or otherwise incorporated into the continuous bag supply materialand/or inner surface that is exposed to the waste.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view diagram of one embodiment ofthe apparatus is illustrated. FIG. 2 shows another perspective viewdiagram illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1 without the cover, seat,lid, and outer housing components. FIG. 3 shows a top view diagramillustrating the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows a side viewdiagram illustrating the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 showsanother side view diagram illustrating the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.FIG. 1, generally referenced 410, includes a housing 412, having a lid414 that is hingedly connected 415 to a seat 416 further including aseat opening 418 that is generally approximately centrally positioned onthe seat, which is illustrated as substantially circular or elliptical.The waterless toilet apparatus further includes a front cover 417, abase 413, and a pedal or foot mechanism 420 for activating afaux-flushing action. FIG. 2 further illustrates internal componentsincluding a pair of rollers 422 having horizontally aligned,spaced-apart axles 423 and forming a nip line 424. The pedal 420 foractivating faux-flushing mechanism 425 provides for opening and closingof the pair of rollers, i.e., disengaging and forming the nip line,respectively. The rollers rotate toward the nip line to provide agravity-based downward motion of the continuous bag supply tube (notshown) toward the base, which is illustrated in FIG. 1. Preferably, allconnections between and among components of the apparatus and system ofthe present invention are mechanical action-based mechanisms foractivating the faux-flushing action.

FIG. 6 shows a right perspective view diagram illustrating anotherembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a left side viewdiagram illustrating the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; as illustrated, thecontinuous plastic bag supply 427 (FIG. 4) is positioned forward andslightly above the nipped rollers 422 and feeds over the seat base 429to provide a receiving opening for the waste to be downwardly depositedtherein. FIG. 8 shows a back view diagram illustrating the embodimentshown in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 shows a top view diagram illustrating theembodiment shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 shows a bottom view diagramillustrating the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view diagram illustrating a seat and lidcomponent in a closed position according to an embodiment of theinvention, as in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 shows another perspective view diagramillustrating the seat and lid component of FIG. 11 in an open positionwith a chemical agent dispenser attached to the lid underside.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the back side of a chemical agentdispenser attachable to the lid illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is aperspective view of the front side of a chemical agent dispenser of FIG.13 attachable to the lid illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a side crosssectional view of the chemical agent dispenser illustrated in FIG. 13and FIG. 14. FIG. 16 shows a side view of the chemical agent dispenser430 illustrated in FIGS. 13-15 attached to a lid and seat in an openposition, and further including a plunger or a tipping mechanism 431that is activated to cause the lid to automatically close in acontrolled, smooth manner (without slamming down by unrestrictedgravity) into a resting position over the toilet when the flushingmechanism is activated. FIG. 17 shows a cross sectional side view of thechemical agent dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 13-15 attached to a lidand seat in an open position. FIG. 17 shows at least one chemical agent434 in a storage chamber 433 of the chemical agent dispenser with asingle dose amount 435 in the dispensing chamber 436 for gravity-baseddispensing of the single dose amount of the at least one chemical agentwhen the lid is in a closed position and correspondingly the chemicalagent dispenser attached to the inside of the lid is in a substantiallyhorizontal position.

The anti-microbial dispenser is a gravity fed system attached to the lidof the toilet seat. The anti-microbial is filled from the top of theclosed lid. When the lid is opened, anti-microbial flows down to thebottom of the container, which is measured to hold 6 grams of the antimicrobial. When “flushed” in the faux-flushing activation, a plunger ora tipping mechanism, for example as described in the foregoing, pushesthe lid closed. The toilet seat and lid hinged closing mechanismpreferably provides a slow close toilet seat, i.e., that gently closeswithout banging harshly or that is restrained from a merelygravity-based closing around the hinge. As the toilet lid closes, thepre-calculated amount or dose of the at least one chemical agent oranti-microbial flows or falls out into the bag portion exposed forreceiving the waste deposited from the next usage of the waterlesstoilet apparatus. When the next user, lifts the toilet lid to the usethe toilet, the at least one chemical agent, such as an anti-microbial,is automatically refilled within the dispenser chamber for thepredetermined dose amount.

More specifically, FIG. 18 is a perspective view diagram showingexploded views of the main components of one embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 19 is a side view diagram of the invention of FIG. 18,showing the lid in an open position and the base unit separated from theseating unit. FIG. 20 is a perspective view diagram from a lower viewshowing exploded views of the main components of one embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 21 is a top view diagram of theinvention of FIG. 18. FIG. 22 is a front view diagram of the inventionof FIG. 18. FIG. 23 is a bottom sectional view diagram of FIG. 18 alongline D-D. FIG. 24 is a side sectional view diagram of the invention ofFIG. 18 along line D-D.

The system is a closed-looped system to collect excreta through a toiletseat and base apparatus that is retrofittable for existing portabletoilets (port-a-potties), boat toilets/bathrooms, campers, RVs, etc. Byway of example and not limitation, the system may be used as astand-alone unit for an alternative toilet for the transportationindustry, may have application in mobile home trailers, campers, boats,and the like, or may have application for use in developing countrieswhere plumbing systems are not available or water supplies are limited.

In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a sitting unit or seatmember that is attached to a base unit, wherein the base unit furtherincludes and houses waste receiving bags, and the base unit is furtherattached to a storage bin. In preferred embodiments, the sitting unit isformed of hard plastic and is pivotally connected to the base unit. Inan alternative embodiment, the bags may be specially lined bags thatinclude chemicals or enzymes that help to treat the excreta; however, inthe preferred embodiments of the present invention, at least onechemical agent (or enzyme) is provided via an automated dosagedepositing into the open bag portion as described hereinabove andillustrated in the figures. A sealing mechanism, either temporarysealing to block odors and/or permanent sealing, is used to close andseal the bag after it is full of excreta, before a release mechanismfunctions to release and/or drop it into the storage bin, thus limitingsmell and making it easy to empty. The hard plastic sitting unit has twomain components: a bottom holding tank; and a top unit that contains asealing mechanism. The bottom holding tank fits together using male andfemale pieces to form a cube for holding the bags. The holding tank islined with a recycled content material, a biodegradable garbage bag, orsimilar containment material, to allow for containment of the filledbags and for easy closure and emptying. In a method for using theinvention, the bags are then collected or removed from the holding tank.Preferably, the waste output is turned into bio-gas using gasificationor fertilizer using composting.

As illustrated in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 18-24, the top unit,generally described as 10, includes a lid 12 that functions like astandard toilet lid, moveable between an open and a closed position,such as by a pivoting movement with a front portion of the lid liftableaway from the base unit 14. The lid is preferably closed when the toiletis not in use to help prevent odor rising upwardly through the opening16 in the sitting unit or seat 18. The bags 20 are provided from a bagtube 22 that supplies a multiplicity of bags to the apparatus; the bagtube has a first end 24 that is inserted into the top of the top unit.In one embodiment illustrated by the sections B-B and D-D in the FIGS.18-24, the sealing mechanism uses three sealing bars 207 on each pair ofgears 205 to cinch the bags and push them through to the holding tank.The sealing mechanism is activated by a foot pedal 210 that extendsoutwardly from the bottom holding tank. In an alternative embodiment,the foot pedal may be attached to four nylon strings that connect orhook to the sealing mechanism. These strings are disconnectable foremptying the bottom holding tank. The strings are attached to pulleys oneither side in the bottom holding tank to activate the sealingmechanism. However, in preferred embodiments of the present invention asdescribed herein, gear mechanisms for attaching the foot pedal to thesealing mechanism as illustrated in the figures, are provided. Inanother alternative example, plastic rods and elastic bands can be usedas the attachment and return mechanism. The holding tank is embodied asa drawer that slides or pulls out from the base as illustrated in theFIGS. 1-17.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a closed-loopsystem for waterless human waste receiving, decontamination, anddisposal. The system includes a hard plastic sitting unit having twoparts including a bottom holding tank or storage bin or receptacle and atop seat and pivotally connected lid, which is movable between an openand a closed position as illustrated in the FIGS. 18-24. In thisalternative embodiment, the top sitting unit further includes a wastereceiving bag portioning mechanism 26 that includes a mechanical sealingmechanism and a bag cartridge unit 25, or more preferably, for acontinuous tube bag supply for holding and dispensing a series of clean,unused bag portions that are not disconnected at their ends and linkedafter use and sealing by the mechanical sealing mechanism. While a bagcartridge unit is described herein, it is not the most preferredembodiment for cost and efficiency reasons; this includes a baggingmechanism 26, which includes a bag dispenser, such as a bag cartridgeunit 25, and mechanical sealing mechanism, which are illustrated in thedrawings of FIGS. 18-24 and FIGS. 25A-25F. The bag cartridge unit 25 ispositioned below the seat and contains a continuous, antimicrobial-linedplastic sheet tube 22 that is long enough to form about 100 sealed“bags” after each use of the system. Again, in an alternative embodimentthat is not the most preferred, the antimicrobial-lined plastic sheettube that forms bags includes the antimicrobial(s) as additive to theplastic material. By way of example and not limitation, theantimicrobial additive includes urea, which when in contact with waterin the excreta produces ammonia automatically and changes the pH withinthe bags filled with waste; the ammonia kills pathogens in the excretato decontaminate the waste.

The mechanical sealing mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 25A-25F, generallydescribed as 200, includes four (4) gears 205 connected by sealing bars207 that extend across the continuous plastic tube. The bars 207 areoperable to cinch the plastic to form bags and to push the plasticthrough the system downwardly toward the storage container or holdingtank, as illustrated in FIGS. 18-24. The mechanical sealing mechanism200 and its four interactive gears 205, connected by sealing rods 207,interact and cooperate to cinch and to seal the continuous tubing toform sealed waste-filled bags when activated, and rotating to advancethe continuous tubing and sealed bags downwardly into the receivingcontainer through a top opening therein. Preferably the sealing bars aredisconnectable when the bottom holding tank unit needs to be emptied.The mechanical sealing mechanism requires no electricity to function. Ina preferred embodiment, the mechanical sealing mechanism is connected toand activated by a foot pedal 210, which protrudes from the bottom ofthe receiving storage container or holding tank, to provide a waterlessfaux-flush downward movement of the waste-containing sealed bag into thereceiving storage container or holding tank, which is sized to containabout at least about 30, preferably at least about 50, and optionally atleast about 100 waste-filled bags or bag portions in the case of acontinuous bag supply tube as described in the foregoing. The foot pedalhas a spring-loaded connection to the mechanical sealing mechanism. Thepedal is connected to gearing mechanism, preferably a rack and piniongearing as shown in the figures, including but not limited to FIGS.25A-25F. The rack or toothed bar 215 turns a pinion or gear 220, whichturns the one of the four interactive gears 205. The pinion is designedto freewheel with respect to the interactive gear on the return movementso as not to reverse the direction of the sealed bag. Advantageously,the mechanical sealing mechanism provides that no human handling of orcontact with the waste bags is necessary. The receiving storagecontainer or holding tank has an open top for receiving the waste-filledbags and for easy emptying thereof. Preferably, it is lined with alarger lined bag or material as set forth hereinabove that encases theat least about 30 filled bags or bag portions. When emptied, thewaste-filled bags may be disposed or burned for energy.

In preferred embodiments, the continuous bag supply are dosed with atleast one chemical for killing pathogens in the waste deposited into thebag portions. In preferred embodiments the at least one chemical isdosed in a predetermined amount into each bag portion after the waste isdeposited therein and when the lid is moved into a closed position, asillustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. In an alternative embodiment, thebags may be lined with urea and other anti-microbials that kill the odorand disease-causing pathogens in the waste. At the top of each bag aglue lining allows for easy sealing by the sealing mechanism.

Preferably, the plastic tube would contain enough material to supply amultiplicity of bag portions, for example, the equivalent of at leastabout 30 to about 100 continuous bag portions (about one foot ofcontinuous bag supply tubing for each bag portion).

In an alternative embodiment, the continuous plastic tube 22, housedwithin the bag cartridge unit 25, extends outward in each direction,parallel to section D-D (see FIG. 24), then upwards and back inwards sothat the tube is positioned below the seat opening 16 and above thesealing mechanism 200. In such a position, the sealing mechanism canengage the plastic tube, advancing it downward and through thecylindrical area of the remaining plastic tube housed within the bagcartridge unit. In an alternative embodiment, the tube is configured sothat the plastic tube can be pulled up and around the seat itself toprovide a clean space to sit. Upon advancement through the sealingmechanism, which seals the plastic tube into a multiplicity of bags, thebags may remain connected to each other, thereby forming a sausage linkas they snake down into the bottom receptacle. In one embodiment, thetube provides adhesive strips (or dots) approximately 8-12 inches aparton the horizontal. In preferred applications, a sealing mechanismapplies pressure after use and compresses an adhesive together, therebysealing the tube into a multiplicity of bags.

In an alternative embodiment, the bags are perforated, so when sealedafter use, the used bag drops into the base individually, so that acontinuous ‘sausage link’ is not formed. The weight of the filled usedbag provides the force required to pull down the next bag.

Preferably, a single layered bag is used, and also preferably it is abio-degradable plastic. While in an alternative embodiment it may belined with Urea and other anti-microbials, in preferred embodiments theplastic tube bag supply is not pre-treated with Urea or other chemicaladditives, rather the at least one chemical agent, preferably Ureaand/or other anti-microbials, is deposited into the continuous plasticbag supply tube via the same opening where the waste is deposited;preferably, the Urea and/or at least one chemical agent is deposited ina predetermined amount, by way of example about 6 grams. See generallyFIGS. 17-25F. When used in methods and systems of the present invention,the Urea mixes with the water in the waste, forms ammonia and makesconditions within the bag too basic for pathogens to exist. Theanti-microbials act as deodorizers.

In one embodiment, the waterless toilet system of the present inventionis made out of plastic, which enables it to be versatile for thedifferent types of households in developing countries that would use it.By way of example and not limitation, suitable plastic materials forforming the continuous plastic tube bag supply are selected from thegroup consisting of PVDC, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene(PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and derivations orcombinations thereof. These suitable plastic materials are durable,versatile, easy to manufacture, and cost-effective. Additionally, theuse of a hard plastic material for forming the storage container orholding tank is advantageous because it is waterproof and is easy tomold into different shapes to allow for both sitting and squatting. Thepresent invention is preferably a waterless system for receiving anddecontaminating urine and solid waste from human excrement. The presentinvention is operable to receive a very small amount of additionalmaterial associated with the human excrement, e.g., small quantities ofused toilet paper, leaves, or small amounts of water, i.e., severalmilliliters instead of liters of water used with water-based flushingtoilets. The small quantities of used toilet paper, leaves, and/or smallamounts of water used as an anal cleansing method may be disposed ofwith the excreta and received by the waterless toilet system of thepresent invention. Additionally, personal waste associated with femininehygiene, which also requires decontamination as human waste may also bedisposed into the system and decontaminated within the activedecontamination bags used with the present invention. By way of exampleand not limitation, feminine hygiene waste may include sanitary napkins,tampons, diapers, bladder control personal products, and other personalhygiene products.

The waterless toilet systems of the present invention may be used in anouthouse or inside a residence, depending on household preference.Importantly, the waste is entirely contained within the bags inside thestorage bin or holding tank and does not require a pit, such as withportable toilets of the prior art, or significant land space forplumbing for water-based disposal and treatment of the waste. Thepresent invention is constructed and configured to be impervious toliquids, and thereby to prevent contamination of surfaces within thestorage bin or container or holding tank. Preferably, the use of hardplastic or metal for the sitting unit, bag dispensing unit, and storagebin or holding tank, provides for cleaning and disinfection, as needed,in particular for the human contact surfaces.

The present invention may include a method for providing waterlesssanitation comprising the step of providing a waterless toilet systemincluding a top seating unit matingly connected to a bottom receivingcontainer, the top seating unit further comprising a bag cartridge witha continuous plastic tube that feeds into a mechanical sealingmechanism, which is preferably formed by opening and closing foamedrollers to form a nip line with the continuous plastic tube between thenip line when the rollers are in a closed or sealed position. The methodmay further include the steps of: advancing the continuous plastic tubedownwardly; activating the mechanical sealing mechanism to temporarilyseal a first end of the continuous plastic tube to form a bag portionfrom the continuous plastic tube without creating individual plasticbags that separate from each other, wherein the bag portion is formedfrom the opening of the bag tube supply that corresponds to the seatopening, and a closed end or tip end of the continuous bag supplytubing, which is gravity deposed downwardly into the base; filling thebag portion with waste (the filled bag portion allocated up to about onefoot of the continuous plastic tubing per usage); activating themechanical sealing mechanism to completely temporarily enclose the wastewithin the plastic bag portion and sealing odor via the nipped rollerspinning closed the opening of the continuous plastic bag supply tubing,without requiring a permanent sealing at a second end; and advancing thefilled bag portion downwardly into the bottom receiving container. Thismethod may further include the step of activating the mechanical sealingmechanism and advancing the filled bag portion with a spring-loaded footpedal, thereby providing a waterless faux-flushing action.

This invention may include a system for providing waterless sanitationcomprising a waterless toilet comprising a top seating unit matinglyconnected to a bottom receiving container, the top seating unit furthercomprising a bag cartridge including a continuous plastic tube thatfeeds into a mechanical sealing mechanism. The mechanical sealingmechanism is operable for completely sealing a waste-filled portion ofthe continuous plastic tube to form a sealed bag, and advancing thesealed bag into the bottom receiving container, thereby providing asanitary, waterless waste disposal system. In the most preferredembodiments, a continuous tube of plastic material is provided forreceiving the waste, wherein a first end is formed by sealing or closingthe tip of the tube to form an elongated continuous bag supply, withoutdisconnectable individual bags for waste. Furthermore, the continuousplastic tube may further include an anti-microbial material fordecontaminating waste. The system may further including a spring-loadedfoot pedal to activate the mechanical sealing mechanism and/or toadvance the waste-filled portion and sealed bag to create afaux-flushing action. The top seating unit may further include a lidpivotally connected to a seat, wherein the seat includes an opening forwaste to be deposited. The bag cartridge may be removably connected tothe top seating unit. The top seating unit and the bottom receivingcontainer may be formed of a hard plastic material. The mechanicalsealing mechanism may further include four interactive gears connectedby sealing rods that cooperate to cinch and to seal the continuoustubing to form sealed waste-filled bags when activated.

The present invention may include a method for providing waterlesssanitation, comprising the first step of providing a waterless toiletsystem comprising a bottom receiving container and a top seating unit,the top seating unit further including a bag cartridge, a plastic tubeincluding a first end, and a mechanical sealing mechanism. In analternate embodiment, the plastic tube is housed within the bagcartridge and the first end is positioned for advancement from the bagcartridge, and, further, the top seating unit is positioned above thebottom receiving unit and edges of the top seating unit and bottomreceiving container are connected to form a seal. The subsequent stepsinclude: advancing the first end of the plastic tube from the bagcartridge to the mechanical sealing mechanism; activating the mechanicalsealing mechanism, thereby sealing the first end of the plastic tube toform an open bag; filling the open bag with waste; activating themechanical sealing mechanism, thereby creating a second seal in theplastic tube to enclose the waste within a sealed bag; and advancing thesealed bag downwardly into the bottom receiving container.Alternatively, the step of activating the mechanical sealing mechanismmay additionally include depressing a spring-loaded foot pedal.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention may include a systemfor providing waterless sanitation with a waterless toilet is comprisedof a bottom receiving container a top seating unit, the top seating unitincluding a bag cartridge, a plastic tube including a first end, and amechanical sealing mechanism. The plastic tube is housed within the bagcartridge and the first end is positioned for advancement from the bagcartridge. Furthermore, the top seating unit is positioned above thebottom receiving unit and edges of the top seating unit and bottomreceiving container are connected to form a seal. The mechanical sealingmechanism is operable to completely seal a waste-filled portion of theplastic tube, thereby creating a sealed bag and is further operable toadvance the sealed bag into the bottom receiving container. The plastictube may further include an anti-microbial material for wastedecontamination. The system may further include a spring-loaded footpedal configured to activate the mechanical sealing mechanism and/oradvance the sealed bag. The top seating unit may further include a lidpivotally connected to a seat, wherein the seat includes an opening forwaste to be deposited. The bag cartridge may additionally be removablyconnected to the top seating unit. The top seating unit and the bottomreceiving container may be formed of a hard plastic material. Themechanical sealing mechanism may further include four interactive gearsconnected by sealing rods that cooperate to cinch and to seal theplastic tubing to form the filled bags upon activation.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the foregoing description. The above-mentionedexamples are provided to serve the purpose of clarifying the aspects ofthe invention and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthey do not serve to limit the scope of the invention. All modificationsand improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of concisenessand readability but are properly within the scope of the presentinvention and the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for providing waterless sanitationcomprising the steps of: providing a waterless toilet system comprisinga top seating unit matingly connected to a bottom receiving container,the top seating unit further comprising a seat, a lid with a chemicalagent dispenser, a lid hinge with a slow-closing mechanism, alid-tipping mechanism, the hinge connecting the lid to the top seatingunit; and a continuous plastic bag supply; the bottom receivingcontainer further comprising a mechanical sealing mechanism includingrollers and a pedal, the pedal activating the sealing mechanism and thelid-tipping mechanism; the continuous bag supply feeding into themechanical sealing mechanism; wherein the slow-close lid closingmechanism that is restrained from a merely gravity-based closing, suchthat the pre-calculated amount or dose of the at least one chemicalagent or anti-microbial flows or falls out into the bag portion exposedfor receiving the waste deposited from the next usage of the waterlesstoilet apparatus; advancing the continuous plastic bag supply throughthe mechanical sealing mechanism; activating the mechanical sealingmechanism to create a seal a first end of the plastic bag supply to forma bag portion, wherein the seal is created by a nip line formed betweentwo aligned rollers; providing a bag opening corresponding to a seatopening to allow receiving of a waste into the bag portion; activatingthe pedal to tip the lid to close, dispense the chemical agent, andactivate and advance the mechanical sealing mechanism to completelyenclose the waste within the continuous plastic bag supply bytemporarily sealing a second end of the plastic bag supply, when the nipline is formed between two aligned rollers; advancing the filled portionof the continuous plastic bag supply downwardly into the bottomreceiving container and advancing the continuous plastic bag supply. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the sealing mechanism includes aperforating mechanism such that the continuous plastic bag supply tearsalong a sealed perforation when sealed and perforated after use.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the continuous plastic bag supply isperforated and tears along a sealed perforation when sealed after use.4. A system for providing waterless sanitation comprising: a waterlesstoilet further including a receiving container, a seat, a lid with achemical dispenser and a slow-close mechanism, a continuous plastic bagsupply, a mechanical sealing mechanism, a lid-tipping mechanism, and apedal; the lid-tipping mechanism and the mechanical sealing mechanismboth activated simultaneously by the pedal when the pedal is activated;the lid pivotally connected to the seat and automatically closing in acontrolled, smooth manner into a resting position over the toilet whenthe pedal is activated; the mechanical sealing mechanism activating andadvancing the continuous bag supply to create a faux-flushing actionwhen the pedal is activated; the chemical dispenser dispensing chemicalinto the bag when the lid is closed and refilling when the lid isopened; the continuous plastic bag supply constructed and configured tofeed into the mechanical sealing mechanism; wherein the mechanicalsealing mechanism is operable for temporarily sealing a waste-filledportion of the continuous plastic bag supply to form a sealed bag, andadvancing the sealed bag into the receiving container; thereby providinga sanitary, waterless waste disposal system.
 5. The system of claim 4,wherein the sealing mechanism includes two aligned rollers that form anip line to perforate and seal the bag supply when activated into aclosed position.
 6. The system of claim 4, further including aperforating mechanism such that the continuous plastic bag supply tearsalong a sealed perforation when sealed and perforated after use.
 7. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein the continuous plastic bag supply isperforated and tears along a sealed perforation when sealed after use.8. An apparatus for waterless, odorless waste receiving and disposalcomprising: a portable toilet that uses a continuous bag supply having apredetermined single dose or portion of at least one chemicalautomatically deposited therein; the portable toilet having afoot-operated mechanism to simultaneously close the lid in a controlled,smooth manner, dispense the chemical into the waste, advance thecontinuous bag supply and activates and advances a bag-sealingmechanism; the at least one chemical functional to kill pathogens inwaste that is deposited through a seat opening in the seat and acorresponding opening of the continuous bag supply; the waste-filledcontinuous bag supply is at least temporarily sealed by activation ofthe mechanical sealing mechanism, and released downwardly into a basesection, which is connected to a hard plastic sitting unit, forming anintegral, closed system for waterless sanitation.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one chemical is non-toxic.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one chemical isenvironmentally-friendly.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the atleast one chemical is an anti-microbial material for decontaminatingwaste.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the waste-filled continuousbag supply is biodegradable.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein thewaste-filled continuous bag supply is non-toxic and the at least onechemical includes an anti-microbial agent.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the sealing mechanism includes two aligned rollers that form anip line to perforate and seal the bag supply when activated into aclosed position.
 15. The apparatus of claim 8, further including aperforating mechanism such that the continuous plastic bag supply tearsalong a sealed perforation when sealed and perforated after use.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the continuous plastic bag supply isperforated and tears along a sealed perforation when sealed after use.